People treated for alcohol abuse at six-year high in Reading

The number of people receiving alcohol treatment in Reading has jumped to its highest level in six years.

Around 332 adults were treated for either alcohol abuse or alcohol and drug problems in the area in 2014/15, up 11 per cent from 300 in 2013/14, and the highest number since at least 2009/10.

That's according to figures released by NHS England following a Freedom of Information request.

In Wokingham numbers were also at a six-year high, with around 229 people being treated, up three per cent from 222 in 2013/14.

Alcohol treatment in Reading

treated in 2014/15

332

treated in 2013/14

300

highest since

2009

Both Reading and West Berkshire saw the number of people receiving combined alcohol and drug treatment hit a six-year high as well, with around 199 people being treated in 2014/15 in Reading, up from 179 in 2013/14, and around 92 in West Berkshire, up from 83.

Across the South East, around 10 children aged under 13 had at least one period of treatment for alcohol issues in 2014/15, with a further 58 13-year-olds and 169 14-year-olds also needing help.

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The number of children aged under 18 needing alcohol treatment is dropping, down 46% from 2,391 in 2009/10 to 1,291 in 2014/15.

Across England, around 118 children aged under 13 had at least one period of treatment for alcohol issues in 2014/15, with a further 529 13-year-olds and 1,468 14-year-olds also needing help.

The number of children aged under 18 needing alcohol treatment is dropping, down 41% from 16,639 in 2009/10 to 9,860 in 2014/15.

Across England, the number of adults who had at least one period of treatment for alcohol abuse has remained fairly consistent since 2009/10, at around 150,000 a year, with around 90,000 treated for alcohol abuse only and 60,000 treated for alcohol and drug problems.

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However, the figures suggest alcohol abuse is increasingly an issue for older adults.

The number of 18-year-olds being treated for any kind of alcohol abuse has dropped from around 2,686 in 2009/10 to 1,715 in 2014/15, with an even bigger drop for 19-year-olds, from 2,088 to 81.

The number of 65 to 69s receiving alcohol treatment is up by half from 2,120 in 2009/10 to 3,203 in 2014/15, while for those aged 70 and over, it is up by a third from 1,534 in 2009/10 to 2,066 in 2014/15.